Are you manically hitting the refresh button on the Google Play Store today? You’re probably not the only one but take a break (sorry!) and have a look at some new screenshots of Android 4.4 KitKat and Nexus 5 pictures while we wait for the anticipated announcement (assuming there is even one). Reddit user throwawaynexus5guy claims to have had a Nexus 5 in hand for a short time and has posted some photos and screenshots of what we can expect.
Perhaps the most interesting is the screenshot of the homescreen. Found in the the Google search box are the words ‘Say “Ok Google”.’ It’s almost certain that Touchless Control, first introduced on the Moto X, will be found on the Nexus 5 and part of Android 4.4.
Other screenshots again suggest that the UI has gotten further refinements:
A separate report once again suggests that one of the main features of Android 4.4 KitKat is support for lower-end devices. By reducing hardware requirements, Google is hoping that manufacturers and carriers will do a better job of pushing out upgrades to devices. This would help reduce Google’s issue with Android fragmentation.
These same improvements could also help make Android more suitable for wearable devices such as smartwatches which typically sport lower specifications. Add to that support for three new sensors, geomagnetic rotation vector, step detector and step counter., and again you see a push towards a new class of devices.
Google’s ambitions could also extend to better interoperability with other devices. KitKat could feature better support for a variety of Bluetooth devices, remote control devices such as IR blasters. NFC could also gain the ability to “emulate” physical cards in a bid to push its acceptance further.
We now let you return to your refreshing of the Google Play Store.
Sources : Reddit // Jessica Lessin